Obama campaign signs disappearing in Elkhart County

September 29, 2008|By DUSTIN GROVE WSBT-TV Reporter

ELKHART Â? Barack Obama supporters in Elkhart County say their signs are disappearing. It is difficult to put a number on how many signs have been stolen, because police in Elkhart County say they haven't gotten any official complaints.

However, those who have had signs taken say their First Amendment right to freedom of speech is being silenced Â? and they arenÂ?t happy.

"Election signs popular Â? with thieves" was the headline in Elkhart County on Monday.

Â?I paid like $16 and I don't want anybody to take it. Every night I take it in!" said Kris Best.

Barack Obama signs are not just disappearing at night, but also during day.

"This has caused a little bit of friction," Best said.

Best is an Obama campaign volunteer in heavily Republican Nappanee.

Â?There has never, ever been any kind of opposition in this area and I think that's what's upsetting people," she said. Several Obama backers, she says, have fallen victim.

"She actually had her car keyed and she had her sign stolen," Best said of one Obama supporter. Dog feces were left where the sign used to be.

In Goshen, Stephanie Wade's sign was stolen. Â?And some of our other neighbors' signs were stolen, too," she said. "I mean I think everybody's free to have whatever kind of sign they'd like out in their yard and it is frustrating to have some people choose what maybe they don't think should be out there.Â?

Authorities say they have received a few reports of people stealing John McCain signs. A Republican Party official told WSBT News that many of the 65 McCain/Palin signs they posted Sunday are also missing.

The missing signs could be less of a political plot and just a childhood prank.

Â?I think sometimes it's someone who doesn't want to see someone elected and I think some times it's teenagers who are just having fun,Â? said one Nappanee resident.

Whether it is politically motivated or a prank, it is a class D felony, which comes with a fine, or in some cases jail time. Â?It shouldn't be like this," Best said.

Area police say they are taking campaign sign theft seriously. Investigators urge anyone who sees any type of tampering or taking of a political sign to call and make a report with their local authorities.